Is this even possible? Free drink scam on Freedom of the Seas

[MartiniBarhooked]

I have asked bartenders about the stickers several times. And unless there has been a computer update this is what they have told me. No information about what package you have comes up on the computer. The bartender goes by whatever the sticker says or whatever is printed on your card.

 

I have heard of bartenders being terminated because they have sold the stickers for cash.

 

Like I said unless there has been some sort of upgrade to the computers I know for a fact this is the way it was. One cruise I bought two Ultimate Packages and waited to be onboard to purchase because I had $800 OBC, Well got the stickers but the charge never went on my account. So on day 3 I went to GS because I wanted to make sure they used the OBC and not my credit card. She told me that they had no record of me buying the packages. I asked her if she was going to make me a deal since I turned myself in and she replied just walk away. I said what? Once again she said walk away. So I did and we drank free for the week. And I went to the Casino and got my $800 in cash minus a small fee but heck it was free money. I dont feel like I stole the packages because I tried to turn myself in.

 

So as you see we drank all week on nothing but the stickers the only thing that I have ever noticed is they look at the picture when they scan your ID.

[The Scurvy Pirate]

I was on the Freedom 3 weeks ago. When I ordered a drink from the bar they ran my card, my picture would come up, and they printed a receipt showing $0.00 due. The only time they did not print a receipt was if I got a soda. Every other time they printed a receipt. The sticker on my card was irrelevant. My brother-in-law used his card so much that by day 4 the sticker had worn completely out and was illegible, yet he continued to get drinks. Early in the cruise there was a lady who had a sticker showing the drink package, but when they ran the card it said no drink package. The bartender "gave" her that one drink and told her that she needed to go to guest services to get it corrected. Otherwise they go by what's on the receipt and she would be charged from there out. So, if its a recent cruise on the Freedom, your buddy is probably a bad liar and thief. Hopefully, he is not in a position where moral character and integrity are needed.

[fletch1027]

I say... not possible. RCL is not that stupid. The card is 'swiped'. As such, it is linked to an account that is either supported via a credit card and/or cash. Either way, each and every charge, be it a coffee, a purchase from a store front, or a drink will show up on the itemized bill. This charge is supported w/ date, time, description, etc. The charges for every drink his wife ordered would have been logged onto his account. He either paid for it with or without a package, or he's BSing you and others.

 

My wife and I don't drink, but we always get the refresh or soda packages. Anyway, you are correct and the only place they seem to just "eyeball" it is in the MDR when I get a Diet Coke with my dinner. Of course they may be more thorough when an alcohol package is involved... :)

[reedl]

The only thing you can possibly get for free would be soda if you get the Soda package, and they have the freestyle machine. You can fill up the cup in the machine while someone else uses their card to get soda at a bar.

 

The other way is for one person to get the soda package, and then to 'lose' the cup and purchase another one for $5. That way you have two cups. Since they have no idea what the ID of the old cup is, they cannot disable it.

 

But soda is such a high markup item that it most likely makes no difference.

[fred30]

I would think that they would be requiring the cards be swiped for cost control. I'm sure corporate wants to know how many drinks are going out on the packages so they can keep tweaking the pricing.

[KuffMUp]

I think it is slightly possible IF all he had/stole was a soda package.

 

Remotely possible. RCCL knows peeps are trying to share soda packages so they put RFIDs in the cup. If you try to refill too quickly at the Coke machines it won't let you. Saw a guy try that on Majesty. The screen actually told him what time he could refill. I don't know how it works if the ship doesn't have the Coke machine. Perhaps the first few times it is filled the bartender swipes it but after getting to know you may not swipe it again. DH and I always had our card swiped every single time we wanted a drink. If one of us went to get drinks for both, we have to take both cards.

[Bailey & Sophie]

Last year it was a crap shoot with our cards. We both had a beverage package. Sometimes they scanned both cards. Sometimes they scanned just one card because we both had the package and it was easier. Most of the time they just looked at the card and said you have the package - we don't have to scan it.

We weren't trying to get away with anything. But it baffled me and I wondered how they could have an accurate inventory if the cards weren't scanned.

[karena1]

They are going away from the stickers unless you buy it on board. Now when you pre-buy the package online, it's printed on your seapass card.

 

I agree, yes it is. We pre-purchased for our last Enchantment cruise and it was printed right on our cards, no stickers.

[UCF_Knight]

I usually just wait until the bartender's back is turned and he is in deep conversation with some other guest. Then I sneak behind the bar, grab a few bottles, and run.

[TigerLady]

I have a guy I work with who is known to be a bit of a bs'er, so I'm not sure if this is true or not. He was on the Freedom of few weeks ago and claims he scammed a free drink package. He said he bought one in his name and peeled off the sticker and put it on his wife's key card, then he reported his card lost. Like I said he is usually full of it, so I don't know if it is true or even possible since I have not sailed RCI in over 6 years and I don't know what the sticker even looks like. The worse thing about this is he was bragging about stealing something. I know people are getting away with sharing, but this is a whole new level. Does anyone know anyone who has been caught sharing and what is the penalty? Please tell me this is not even possible, so I can call this guy out.

 

He's a thief at best, Liar at least.. Call him out. Stealing of a product, causes EVERYONE'S price to go up... :rolleyes:

[nelblu]

Cards are always swiped I thought for alcohol for inventory purposes and identification/age verification even if you don't get a receipt to sign.

 

 

 

 

 

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On the Anthem Aug. 25th sail, they always swiped my card for the loaded 3 drinks.